FoTTSA Report on Tiny Council March 9, 2020

Committee of the Whole Meetings: March 9 and 20, 2020: March 9, 2020: 9:00 a.m. – 4:50 p.m.; March 30, 2020: cancelled.

Regular Meeting of Council: March 9, 2020: 6:00 p.m. – 6:18 p.m.; March 30, cancelled.

Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Tony Mintoff and Gibb Wishart present at both Committee of the Whole and Regular Meetings. Gibb Wishart arrived at 11:36 for the Committee of the Whole Meeting.

(FoTTSA notes: many of these dates may be altered because of COVID-19 – this Council meeting was held before the declaration of the pandemic.)

Announcements

  • Youth Symposium, Tuesday, May 5, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre, Midland – postponed.
  • Town Hall Meeting: Saturday, June 13, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Tiny Township Community Centre.
  • Community BBQ, July 11, 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Perkinsfield Park.
  • Festival du Loup de Lafontaine, July 16-18.
  • Town Hall Meeting: Thursday, September 17, 7:00 – 9:00, p.m., Wyebridge Community Centre.
  • Tiny Connect – Sign up now at tinyconnect.ca

Report re: Plan 691 Beach, Plan 779 Beach, Wahnekewening Beach and Silver Birch Beach: Barriston LLP submitted this report in the Confidential Closed Session. Council voted that confidential correspondence from Mr. Jim McIntosh, Barriston LLP regarding status update on beachfront property matters in these two plans be received, and that Mr. McIntosh and staff proceed as directed.

Busk ’til Dusk Events at Balm Beach: Council decided that Busk ‘til Dusk would remain a township sponsored event. The Business Association of Balm Beach (BABB) is to continue to be the main organizer of events. The Township is to supply a municipal stage and hydro hook up and financial support of roughly $4000, which includes an honorarium for the volunteer coordinator.

Site Plan Application by Orok Enterprises Inc. (Stubbs) for Georgian Bay Park, Part Lot 25, Concession 2 West: Council passed By-law 20-013, a Site Plan Agreement for phases 1 and 2 of this seasonal trailer park development. Phase 1 includes 56 seasonal trailer sites, a comfort station and an in-ground swimming pool in addition to the existing barn and sheds. Phase 2 encompasses 44 seasonal trailer sites, 10 four-season cabins, the use of part of the comfort station as a medical clinic, and an additional parking area.

Building Needs Committee Update: After considering a report from the Building Needs Committee, Council decided to adopt its proposed communications strategy including posting information about the project on the Township’s website. It also approved the proposed site selection process and agreed that the committee should start looking at the “Owner’s Statement of Requirements” (i.e. determining the space requirements for the new facility, features to be included in it, standards it is to meet and the like).

Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament Recipients Approved: The fundraising goal for the tournament was set at $50,000 and a list of 17 potential recipients approved, namely: Angels with Backpacks, Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, CHIGAMIK, Crime Stoppers, Gateway for Learning, Huronia Community Foundation, Hospice Huronia, Midland Public Library, Quest Art School + Gallery, Scientist in School, Sistema, MTM Conservation / Tiny Marsh, We Are The Villagers, Wendat, Wye Marsh and the Tiny Township Bursary Program. The sums allocated to the various charities ranged from $500 to $5,000. (FoTTSA notes: The Tournament was cancelled recently.)

Regulatory Changes to the Aggregate Resources Act: Staff was directed to resubmit the Township’s comments of November 1, 2019 to the MNRF regarding the proposed regulatory changes under the Aggregate Resources Act. In essence, the Township

  • supports the imposition of a more robust application process for existing operators who want to extract aggregate below the water table, since it wants to ensure that groundwater resources are not negatively impacted given the number of residents who obtain their drinking water from local aquifers.
  • supports a more robust application process for existing and proposed operators who want to apply for a Permit to Take Water for gravel washing operations.
  • supports a change in the tax assessment for all aggregate operations to an industrial rate.
  • supports the ability of municipalities to require haul route agreements as part of a Planning Act approval process given the impacts to the local road Infrastructure.
  • strongly supports more thorough and frequent reviews of existing aggregate operations to ensure compliance with approved MNRF Site Plans.
  • supports the Province’s commitment to enhanced reporting on aggregate rehabilitation.
  • supports the Province’s commitment to reviewing aggregate fees at a later date to ensure that municipalities are being compensated fairly and at current inflation rates.

In addition, Council approved two additional comments by way of Motion #530/19:

    • The Township does not support aggregate extraction below the water table for any existing or future gravel pit operations in the Township of Tiny due to the number of residents who obtain their drinking water from private wells and the potential negative impact on sensitive groundwater resources.
    • The Township supports a review of inactive aggregate pit licenses to ensure that they meet current standards prior to commencement of operations.

APRIL 15 and 27 COUNCIL MEETINGS: These meetings will be live-streamed.